NorthwestJanuary 4, 2004

Bill Longeteig died the morning of Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004, at his home in Craigmont of a sudden heart attack.

He was born Oct. 29, 1942, the son of Iver J. (Jr.) and Margaretnell Waters Longeteig of Craigmont. He grew up in Craigmont, and after graduating from high school as valedictorian, he graduated from the University of Idaho in Moscow with a business degree and a juris doctorate from the College of Law.

During high school and college he helped with his educational expenses by being an excellent combine operator. After his undergraduate degree, he served briefly in the U.S. Marine Corps, and upon completion of his law degree he worked for a short time as a bank examiner in Seattle and then accepted an appointment as assistant county attorney in Ada County (Boise).

Returning to the town where he always wanted to live, he co-founded the Strom and Longeteig law firm with his uncle, Robert Strom, in Craigmont in early 1969, beginning a 35 year period of service to his community and his clients.

He married Beverli Cecile Earp of Grangeville Aug. 5, 1972, and they made their home in old Ilo, just outside of Craigmont.

At the University of Idaho, Bill was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and later served on its board of directors. A 40-year Mason, he was a member and past master of Prairie Lodge No. 62 A.F. & A.M., also belonging to the Scottish Rite and the Shrine.

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He served his community as chairman of the school board and belonged to the Jaycees, American Legion and the board of the local Internet Camasnet service. He also worked for the city of Craigmont, as counsel for the city of Winchester and for the Evergreen Highway District.

Bill enjoyed the out-of-doors and made time every year to cut and split the wood that heated their home. He was a skilled and enthusiastic vegetable gardener and an excellent and creative handyman. He was a talented cook and helped prepare large dinners for community celebrations. He won a trip to Wichita, Kan., as the Idaho contestant in a national beef recipe cooking contest.

Bill enjoyed a good road trip, traveling to Bolivia in 1998 for a 25th wedding anniversary to visit a daughter in the Peace Corps, and driving from Maine to Idaho with his brother and another daughter in 1999. Most of all he enjoyed the company of his two grandchildren, who called him "Papa Bill."

Bill is survived at the family home by his wife, Beverli; their three daughters, Lisa Longeteig of Santa Fe, N.M., Torrey Longeteig and her husband Scott Bovey of Sandy, Utah, and Kelli Jo Longeteig of Seattle. He is also survived by his mother, Margaretnell Longeteig of Lewiston; a brother and sister-in-law, Iver J. and Chase of Boise; a sister and brother-in-law, Karen Longeteig and Hasan Khan of Lexington, Mass.; his two beloved grandchildren, Hunter Bovey and Lane Longeteig; and by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The service is at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the United Church in Craigmont. His family requests that any memorials be given to the Craigmont City Park project, to which he had given many volunteer hours, following in the footsteps of his own grandfather, who worked on first developing the park in the 1920s.

Uhlorn Funeral Home in Cottonwood is in charge of arrangements.

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